Cardinals QB Brissett Holding Out for New Contract Before Draft

Veteran quarterback wants security beyond 2023 season

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:49pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting an NFL quarterback in the midst of a play, with the player's body and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conceptually representing the uncertainty and competing forces surrounding the player's contract situation.A cubist interpretation of an NFL quarterback's contract negotiations, with the player's future fractured into competing geometric planes.Los Angeles Today

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is holding out from the team's offseason program as he seeks a new contract extension. Brissett is set to make $9.06 million this season but has only $1.5 million in guaranteed money, and he is looking for more long-term security. The Cardinals have not named a starting quarterback for the 2023 season, and there are reports they may be interested in drafting former Alabama QB Ty Simpson.

Why it matters

Brissett's holdout could create tension between the player and the team as they try to resolve the contract situation before the NFL Draft. The Cardinals' quarterback room is unsettled, and their potential interest in Simpson suggests they may be looking to the future at the position.

The details

Brissett, who started 11 games for the Cardinals last season, is not attending the team's Phase 1 offseason program as he seeks a new contract. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has not named a starting quarterback for 2023, saying the team is 'rolling' with both Brissett and backup Gardner Minshew. There are also reports the Cardinals may try to trade up in the draft to select former Alabama QB Ty Simpson, which could further complicate Brissett's future in Arizona.

  • Brissett is holding out from the team's offseason program that began in April 2023.
  • The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 27, 2023.

The players

Jacoby Brissett

The veteran quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals who started 11 games for the team in 2022 and is seeking a new contract extension.

Monti Ossenfort

The general manager of the Arizona Cardinals who has not named a starting quarterback for the 2023 season.

Ty Simpson

The former Alabama quarterback who the Cardinals are reportedly interested in drafting in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Listen, we got Jacoby, Gardner -- they both played a lot of ball. You know, I think, as we sit here today, we're trying to install a system. You guys (coach Matt LaFleur's staff) are rolling. You know, I'll defer to you on that, but we're not really naming anybody, and we'll see how that room looks by the time we get in August.”

— Monti Ossenfort, General Manager, Arizona Cardinals

“It certainly feels like there's a lot of smoke around the Arizona Cardinals. I think the Los Angeles Rams would have had some interest in Ty Simpson if they had two first round picks, which they don't. And where was Mike LaFleur before he took the Cardinals head coaching job? Los Angeles with the Rams.”

— Adam Schefter, NFL Insider

What’s next

The Cardinals will need to decide whether to sign Brissett to a contract extension or potentially draft a quarterback like Ty Simpson in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

Brissett's holdout highlights the uncertainty surrounding the Cardinals' quarterback situation as they look to the future. The team's potential interest in drafting a young QB like Simpson could further complicate Brissett's future in Arizona, creating a tense contract negotiation ahead of the draft.